RW Ryan Strome (2011, 5th overall, Islanders)

You're probably going to have the first overall pick and you have your eyes set on Strome? He is a real good prospect but I think RNH and Couturier project to become better players.

I do get the sense though Strome will be one of the more effective goal scorers of his draft class. As for a timeline on him, he could probably use another year of JRs but it wouldn't surprise me if he forces whatever team that drafts him into having to make a tough decision come training camp.

I hope he fall into Bruins pick territory.

Just out of curiosity, you don't want Edmonton to draft Larsson?

I want the Oilers to draft Larrson. I also want them to grab Strome as well. I'm hoping Tambo puts a package together including Kings 1st.

Strome projects as a quality 2nd line center. I don't think he has the ability to become a quality league first line center, but he has a lot of nice aspects to his game that could make him a valuable #2 guy or 1b type center.

It would be tough to convince a team to move down this year. The drop off of talent after the top 10-12 players is pretty extreme. That's not to say their aren't solid prospects available after the 12th overall but to convince another GM that he could find someone of value between 20-25 and 31-32 pick is going to be tough and you may need to pair the picks with a better player than you proposed.

Teams currently picking 5th-8th are the Avalanche, Panthers, Thrashers and Bruins. My guess is none of them are overly willing to move down.

It would be tough to convince a team to move down this year. The drop off of talent after the top 10-12 players is pretty extreme. That's not to say their aren't solid prospects available after the 12th overall but to convince another GM that he could find someone of value between 20-25 and 31-32 pick is going to be tough and you may need to pair the picks with a better player than you proposed.

Teams currently picking 5th-8th are the Avalanche, Panthers, Thrashers and Bruins. My guess is none of them are overly willing to move down.

that's what I'm thinking as well but you could always have a team pick your guy and wait until the 20th spot if their guy is still on the board and then make the trade

Doesn't work as well for hockey due to the sheer number of positions available in football. Assigning slightly arbitrary value to draft slots also assumes that every draft year produces the same level of talent. It's a quick reference tool, but even NFL management types feel that the value chart is a bit outdated now.

Personally would be surprised if #20+31 moved you into the top 8. The Islanders did a couple moves to trade up from #26 to #12 in 2009. That's probably the closest recent example. Might be more plausible to find somebody picking #12-15 that is missing a 2nd rounder, then trade up again.